Elmer j



(No Model.)

B. J. HESS.

VEHICLE SPRING.

No. 338.072. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

N. PETERS Fbnmuma m hgr. Washington, D. C.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ELMER J. HESS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALFRED HESS,OF SAME PLACE.

VEHICLE-SPRING.-

SPBCIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338,072, dated March16, 1866. Application filed August 10, 1885. Serial No. 173,940. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELMER J. Hess, a resident of Cincinnati, Hamiltoncounty, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Vehicle- Springs, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce a light spring of greatelasticity which is'economic of manufacture. The spring is adapted foruse with side-bar vehicles.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved spring attached to the cross bar of a vehicle. Fig. 2 is a viewof the under side of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the spring,(the crossbar being omitted,) taken alongside of one of the clips. Fig.4 is a view in perspective of one of the blocks or pieces preferablyused between the curved spring and the elastic plate hereinafterdescribed. Fig. 5 is a view of the central portion of the spring,showing bolts as a means of connecting the curved spring to the elasticplate.

The cross-bar A is rigidly secured to the under side of thevehicle-body. Its lower surface has its central portion cut away,forming the recess A. The metal plate B extends across this recess, andis secured to the crosspiece A by the bolts d. Between each end of plateB and the adjacent part of the cross bar A or vehicle-body a piece ofrubber is preferably placed to form an easy and elastic seat for thespring-plate B; but the presence of this rubber is not essential to theoperation of my spring. An alternate arrangement consists in providingprojections from the face of the cross-piece A, or equivalent portionof'the vehicle, to which the plate B may be attached, dispensing in thisway with the recess A. The device as illustrated is of the preferredform.

The spring 0 is attached to the plate B by the clips 0 e. The spring 0is sometimes made of a single piece of metal, 0; but it is preferablyre-enforced by leaves 0 C in the usual way. These leaves may beconnected together in any of the well-known ways. A bolt, f, ispreferably present to secure them together at the middle portion of thelength of the spring (1. The ends of the bottom or long leaf of thespring are curled upward for attachment to the side bars at g.

The spring is not always attached directly to the plate B, butpreferably as follows: Two blocks, M M, preferably V-shaped or rounded,are inserted between the plate B and the spring 0. The ends of theseblocks M extend slightly beyond the edges of the spring 0, and into themare cut notches m, down to the edge of the spring. (See Fig. 4.)

Clips 0 e are used to secure the spring to the plate B. These clips fitin the notches m and pass under the spring. The ends of the clips passthrough the plate B, and are there provided with nuts, which, whentightened, hold the spring firmly in place.

In Fig. 3 is shown the means which maybe employed, when found necessary,for preventing the spring from slipping longitudinally. A tongue, e,projects upwardly from each clip e, and fits into a correspondingopening, (2, in the under side of the spring 0. (See Fig. 3.) Thistongue prevents the spring slipping longitudinally. When preferred,bolts passing through the spring 0, blocks M, and plate B may be used inplace of the clips 6. (See Fig. 5.) In such event the notches m will beunnecessary.

The sharp or more pointed side of the blocks M may either bear againstthe plate B or the spring 0, the latter being preferable. The blocksincrease the opportunity of the spring 0 to bend, and in this wayincrease its elasticity. The plate B is also of great service inincreasing the elasticity of the spring. It should be observed that therecess A is sufficiently deep to prevent the heads of the clips 6 fromstriking against the cross-piece A.

The whole device is a light, easy working spring of great elasticity.

Vhile the various features of my invention are preferably employedtogether, one or more of said features may be used without theremainder; and in so far as applicable one or more of said features maybe used in connection with springs of a description other than the oneherein specifically set forth.

\Vhat I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the vehicle body or support, elastic plate B,secured at its ends thereto, space Aabove the middle portion of saidplate, and continuous spring 0, connected to said plateB by clips (2 edirectly beneath said space A, and at the middle portion of the latter,substantially as and for the purposes set forth. y

2. The combination of thevehicle body or support, elastic plate B,secured at its ends thereto, space A above the middle portion of saidplate, continuous spring 0, connected to said plate B by clips 0 edirectly beneath said space A, and at the middle portion of the latter,and bearing -blocks M, provided with notches m, substantially as and forthe pur- I poses set forth.

3. The combination of the plate B, spring O, bearing-blocks M, providedwith notches m at the ends, and clips e e, fitting said notches,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination of the plate B, spring 0, bearing-blocks M, providedwith notches m, and clips 6, provided with-tongues e, fittingcorresponding recesses in the spring, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

ELMER J. HESS.

Attest:

J N0. W. STREHLI,

O. M. HILL.

